Ceramic Capacitor/Application SupportProposal for the replacement of the film capacitor with multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) in wireless chargers

A film capacitor may be equipped to the resonant circuit in a wireless charger.
Below, we give the results of an evaluation we conducted in which we replaced such film capacitor with MLCCs.

1Evaluation targets

We obtained commercially available wireless chargers and then conducted an evaluation in which we replaced the film capacitor with MLCCs.
The film capacitor is equipped as a resonance capacitor to the part in the red circle in the photograph below.

Image 1 of replacement of the film capacitor with MLCCs

2Plan for replacement of the film capacitor with MLCCs

Our plan to replace the film capacitor with MLCCs is shown below.
The replacement product is GRM3195C2A104JA01 (1206M, C0G, 0.1uF, 100V).

Plan to replace the film capacitor with MLCCs

Film capacitor: 7.3×6.5mm, 0.33uF, 63V → MLCCs: GRM3195C2A104JA01 (1206M, C0G, 0.1uF, 100V)×4pcs

Image 2 of replacement of the film capacitor with MLCCs

3Evaluation of the replacement of the film capacitor with MLCCs

We confirmed the characteristics below during charging before and after replacing the film capacitor with MLCCs.

Evaluation Items
(1) Rise in temperature on the surface of the film capacitor
(2) Power conversion efficiency

4Measurement of the temperature on the surface of the film capacitor

Measurement conditions

  • Operating environment: When using a wireless charger
  • Measuring environment: We placed the wireless charger in a windproof box and then took the measurement
  • Measuring equipment: Thermo-viewer
  • Room temperature during the measurement:
    (1) When measuring the film capacitor: 26.0°C
    (2) When measuring the MLCCs: 24.5°C

Measurement Results

<Film capacitor: 7.3×6.5mm, 0.33uF, 63V> Maximum: Approx. 57.0℃
<MLCCs: GRM3195C2A104JA01 (1206M, C0G, 0.1uF, 100V)×4pcs> Maximum: Approx. 34.6℃

We were able to confirm a difference in the rise in temperature of at least 20°C between the film capacitor and the MLCCs in this measurement.

Supplementary data

ESR comparison graph, film capacitor vs. MLCCs ESR comparison graph

The MLCCs have a lower ESR than the film capacitor, which means it is possible to keep the rise in temperature low.

5Comparison of the power conversion efficiency

We evaluated the power conversion efficiency during charging by using the above film capacitor.

Power conversion efficiency comparison graph, film capacitor vs. MLCCs Power conversion efficiency comparison graph

We confirmed that the power conversion efficiency of the MLCCs is at least 2% better than the film capacitor in this evaluation.

6Summary

We confirmed the characteristics below during charging before and after replacing the film capacitor with the MLCCs.
(1) Rise in temperature on the surface of the film capacitor
(2) Power conversion efficiency

1) Rise in temperature on the surface of the capacitors

We confirmed that the MLCCs have a lower ESR than the film capacitor and that the difference in the rise in temperature is at least 20°C between the film capacitor and the MLCCs.

2) Comparison of the power conversion efficiency

We confirmed that the power conversion efficiency of the MLCCs is at least 2% better than that of the film capacitor.

3) Space advantage

A simple comparison of the MLCCs and film capacitor shows that the MLCCs are more suitable for downsizing and contribute to a reduction in the mounting surface.